Kael

Taking in the cool night air, Lem sat comfortably on top of the tallest buiding in the city, one leg dangling down, as if it was as natural as being sat at home, gazing down upon the thousands of people below him hauled up inside at night. How was he going to find this thief. This was a needle in a haystack task. This particular thief did seem to brave coming out of the underground network far more than others. Lem had seen his fingerprints over several jobs in the past week. However it did not change the fact that he was always one step behind, not a position Lem liked to find himself in.

Lem took a deep breath, the cool air feeling enjoyable after a day in the roasting hot sun.

'Wouldn't want you to fall there Lemuel' came a voice from behind him. Controlled as Lem was he didn't flinch although the voice had surprised him.

'I thought we had agreed not to lie to each other Kael' Lem responded without turning to face Kael

'I didn't' said Kael 'as much as I would love to see your downfall, you are more valuble to me alive, so yes, a tumble from this spire would inconvienice me'

Lem got up and turned to faec Kael, frustration growing but he fought to control his emotions and present his usual unshakable exterior.

'Are you bored? or do you require my help with something?'

'I watch this city too, I move amoung its people the same as you. I hear things, I see things, which means Lem, that I know things.' Kael paused, clearly trying to give the impression that he had come by some knowledge and wanted to reel Lem in. Lem had no time for Kael and his games, it wasn't that he disliked Kael, he barely thought of him at all, but Kael could never get over thier training and how Lem had always found favour with the masters, where as Kael was left wanting. Kael had strived to be the best and sought acknowledgement. Lem never felt good about besting him, however he would not hold back from fine tuning his mind and body.

Lem moved towards the edge of the spire reading himself for a climb down, not seeking to engage with Kael's latest dance.

'Not curious Lem?'

'No Kael, and I have a sudden desire for solitude, if you will excuse me'

'She's being watched Lem, her and that strange child of her's.'

Lem hesitated for the slightest of moments before swinging himself gracefully over the side of the spire, pausing to hang off the edge long enough to respond

'The lioness is a predator not prey, don't concern yourself with those who could feed you to their cub'

With that he began his fast decent, almost gliding down the tower, each hand finding its next hold as if it were second nature, and this were purely a lesuirely evening walk. His mind, however, was racing. Who was watching Emmeline? It had to be the thieves, this was a counter, he had been showing his interest in the girl and her son far too openly. She was a warrior, her strength shone through her, but she was weakened by her love for her son. Kael was an irritant, but Lem knew he did care for him, that was why he sought him out to alert him. As he neared the lower edges of the building, he turned towards the east of the city and began to scale the rooftops, as silent as a cat all the way towards her neighbourhood.

Emmeline would not appreciate being treated as a damsel in distress, however Lem could not ignore that he had brought this trouble to her, and Lem was not playing with one theif, Lem was pressing on to the lower echelons of the thieves network, Lem was convinced that the answer to his questions lay with one of the lowest thieves, one who has never ventured in to daylight, maybe has not ever even been above ground before. His scampering slipperly thief friend was a means to an end, not the target. But was he now bringing Emmeline and her son to the attention of some of the lowest thieves? Aside from the feelings he was ignoring towards the girl, he knew that if she was taken underground, she would never resurface again, and through all his skill and composure, Lem would not have the skills to venture through even the most surface level tunnels.

He would scout the neighbourhood, Lem decided he would take time to find and watch the watchers. Just one more task

'